in my opinion, kerr played badly on a bad side. Where previously benji was outside him and hodgo had a much higher involvement (and our side actually supported the runner) he performed alright. But, I don't think he is a good enough organiser for first grade. He has a really good running game and can get away with things in first division because of the extra space, but he obviously cracked last night under first grade pressure.
My point about prince is that he is doing a hell of a lot with very little out there. It is very hard to look good at halfback on our side. That's why I think moving him would be a terrible idea. Our backline needs a lot of work and our forwards are some of the worst in the competition (only outperforming manly, warriors and souths). The big issue for the tigers is the front row. We have f**k all. Skando would be very good on a very good side, but he doesn't help on a side like the tigers. A player who just does alright getting five or so metres a hit-up and an average tackling game is not a good first grader. Skando performs best as an impact player coming off the bench, as a 60 minute prop he is zero impact. Payten also isn't a starting prop (and maybe not even a bench prop). His size is what makes him worthwhile and he was obviously buggered out on the field in the second half and should have been taken off, he shouldn't play more then 30 mins a match. Gibbs hasn't yet proven to be valuable in first grade and could do with more time in first divison to continue getting bigger, more confidence and maybe learn a little more of the aggresion he apparently has, because I don't want another skando. We need to stop f**king around with two hookers and put some impact runners on the bench because we looked terrible last night. Small is a must, and has been all season. Last night we went in to the match with one prop on the bench (gibbs). That is exactly what has been wrong with us all year. Playing one prop, one hooker, one second rower and one utility is just a terrible decision after our two floggings. Sheens didn't change the formula at all. Considering that we are struggling so badly in the front row, it amazes me that small can't crack first grade.
On halatau, I think he is a terrific player, and easily our best at the moment. It is impossible to defend well when the defensive line is not moving up off the goal line. The defense in the middle needs to get more men in the tackle to slow down the play the ball so that the d-line can have time to get back on the line and get in the face of the attacking side. All match we gave them far too much space and were lucky to get away with the final scoreline. If it was a better side we would have been hammered. It isn't halatau's fault that he misses a tackle when he is on the back foot, that is impossible for an outside centre and is only looking for a scapegoat. Elford's defense is what should be questioned. He is caught in two minds far too often and has been all season. Halatau has always been decisive in defense and always tackles strongly.
But, you all love to blame the halves for everything. Our problem is forwards. We need to be far more dominant if we are going to win another game. How much attacking opportunity did we get last night? The penalties were bad but canberra were the dominant side last night because they put much more effort into their defense and had the forwards to push us onto our back feet. Scott Prince would not have won the match for us last night.
I hate when coaches blame the ref for a match, and I think sheens has been far too leniant with his players in recent weeks. We can play better, and have this season. Some discipline needs to be hammered into our defense and rather then be angry at the ref, sheens should work on the things that can be controlled...like defensive agression, supporting the runner and getting a straight defensive line on kick-offs. This is simple stuff that a half decent footy side should be able to execute. We are probably in the worst form of any side at the moment.
